President visits Mahabodhi temple, inaugurates cultural festival at Magadh University

Gaya (Bihar), Feb 15 : President Pratibha Patil, who is on a two-day official visit to Bihar, today visited the Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya and innaugrated the first Inter University Cultural Festival hosted by the Magadh University.

The Mahabodhi temple is a shrine in Bodh Gaya where the Buddha attained enlightenment.

Patil who is on her first official visit to Bihar since assuming office in July 2007, said after visiting the temple that the teachings of Lord Buddha should be adopted by the entire humanity.

"The path shown by Lord Buddha to the whole of humanity holds significance for us even today. Mahatma's movement was based on the principles of Ahimsa and Love. He showed the path of knowledge to the entire world," Patil said.

The President who arrived in Bodh Gaya from Nalanda also attended the First Inter University Cultural Festival hosted by the Magadh University.

She is also scheduled to visit the Legislative Assembly in state capital Patna.

Patil will also launch the "Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojna" and inaugurate an International Conference on Hyperthermia in Patna.

The President will also visit places of historical importance at Nalanda, Bodh Gaya and Vaishali, as well as the Gurudwara Patna Sahib in the state capital.

ANI